Cruse resigns as leader of Richmond's Department of Infrastructure and Development

City of Richmond Director for Infrastructure and Development Jack Cruse participates in the monthly Board of Zoning Appeals meeting at the city's municipal building on Thursday, May 10, 2018.(Photo: Mickey Shuey/Palladium-Item)Buy Photo

RICHMOND, Ind. — The head of the city's Department of Infrastructure and Development has stepped down after 14 months on the job.

Richmond Mayor Dave Snow said in a statement Thursday morning that Jack Cruse had resigned from his position with the city as of the end of the day Wednesday.

"The spirit of teamwork is highly valued within our organization and the Richmond City Team are sorry to see Jack go, however, we wish him the best in his future endeavors," Snow said.

The statement didn't give a reason for the resignation, and Cruse could not immediately be reached for comment.

Cruse was hired in April 2017 to run a department that includes the offices of public works and engineering, planning and zoning, permits and inspections, and community development.

As director of the department, Cruse oversaw major programs in the city such as the Stellar Communities projects and the Blight Elimination Program.

Cruse, the brother of Richmond Common Council member Kelley Cruse-Nicholson, is a native of the city who came to work in Snow's administration after retiring as a U.S. Air Force master sergeant.

During his Air Force career, Cruse worked with infrastructure development, and he had experience collecting and analyzing architectural designs as well as an understanding of financial forecasting and creating short- and long-term plans for spending and revenue development, the city said at the time of his hiring.

Cruse replaced Beth Fields, who left the position in January 2017 to become the city's controller. Snow said Fields will serve as the interim director of the Department of Infrastructure and Development while the search for a permanent replacement is under way.

Jason Truitt is the team leader and senior reporter at the Palladium-Item. Contact him at (765) 973-4459 or jtruitt@pal-item.com.